Early childhood educators can teach children shapes as part of a child-led, play-based curriculum. Children learn shapes by playing and experimenting with objects, and they can learn how to label shapes through high-quality interactions and discussions.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
Cognitive and fine motor activities, like building with blocks and completing jigsaw puzzles, develop children's enthusiasm and persistence (4.1). They also develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating (4.2).
Playing with shapes introduces children to symbols and pattern systems (5.4). When children label shapes, they interact verbally (5.1), and when they see shapes in books and posters they use media (5.3).
Learning experiences
Build with blocks
Block play is the ultimate play-based activity for teaching shapes. As children experiment and construct they will learn how shapes have different features, like sides and corners. Some sides are flat, but they can also be curved.
Early childhood educators can help children name shapes through informal discussions. Sit alongside children while they build with blocks and name the shapes you see.
Bake biscuits
Cookie cutters are wonderful for teaching shapes. They can be used with playdough but baking biscuits is a yummy social experience that also teaches quantity and measurement. Children can also cut shapes from frozen pastry sheets and turn them into mini pizzas.
Draw shapes
Children can draw shapes, either freehand or using a stencil. The shapes can then be coloured, decorated and or cut out.
Children can also draw shapes with sticks or their fingers, using a large sensory trough filled with rice or sand.
Play with symmetry
Common shapes are usually symmetrical. Children can learn about symmetry, balance and mirror imagery. Educators can show children how to fold paper in half, draw and cut out half the shape, and unfold the paper to reveal the complete shape.
Construct shapes
Construct 2D shapes by arranging loose parts like straws, pipe cleaners, leaves and sticks. Construct 3D shapes by inserting toothpicks into marshmallows or jube lollies - yum!
Play cognitive games
- Sort objects by their shape (e.g. beads or pasta).
- Play "I spy" with shapes in the environment.
- Make your own shape-themed memory game by drawing shapes on cards.
- Play a shape scavenger hunt indoors or outdoors. Write a list of shapes and tick them off once you have found them.
- Play with tangrams and shape-themed jigsaw puzzles. If you don't have a tangram, make your own from cardboard or play with an online tangram.
Move your body
- Mark familiar shapes on the ground with chalk or masking tape. Use them to play hopscotch, jumping between the shapes.
- Children dance to music. When the music stops an educator calls out a shape name. Children make the shape using their bodies.
- In small groups, children lie on the ground. They connect their bodies to make simple shapes like squares and triangles.